Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-01-07

The Miraculous Recovery of a Portland
Lady from Supposed Death Bed,
Being Unconscious for Several DAYS
and Having Her Life Pronounced Ex.
iinct.
PORTLAND. ian. 4

PORTLAND, Jan. Z.
W. o. Jones, who resides on Fore street,
Deering, of the firm of Jones & Hutchngs,
Portland, relates the following concerning
the strange sickness and spparent death of
his wife, Nellie:
Mrs Jones had been an invalid for a
number of years under the treatment of Dr.
ChAs W. Foster of Woodfords. Early in
December she was taken by a severe pain
throughout her system. The doctor used va
rious means to relieve her distress, but with
out success. Her sickness continued to in
crease and on Saturday afternoon at o'clock
she sank away and seemed to be diving, and
was so considered by the doctor. Her COM
plexion changed to blush drab color and
her ace became covered with moth like
that on her person, having been dead some
time. There was an offensive odor emanat-
ing from the body such AS issues from a
tomb. Itwas necessary for persons entering
the room to use disinfectants. Mrs Jones
had given full directions concerning her
funeral and had disposed OF her effects dur.
ing the early part OF her sickness. She re.
quested that in case she should become un-
conscious that her body might rest long
time in bed and her lips be frequently wet
until her friends were perfectly certain that
she was dead. as she had a great horror OF
being buried alive. At o'clock TUESDAY
morning Mrs. Millie Bennett. her nelghbor
was at the bedside of the unconscious woman
wettlDg her lips. She heard a rhOaklng sound
as If the patient was trying to swallow. She
placed her hand on Mrs. Jones forehead and
felt twitching of the nerves About that
time Mr.. Jones arose to replenish the fire and
he also heard a sound like that of child
coolng, During the conversation between
Mr.. Jones and Mrs Bennett the patient gave
loud groan, so loud as to he heard in other
parts of the house. 1t was impossible to
open her mouth to administer stimulants, but
hot applications and increased temperature of
the room were made use of to revive the pa
tient. man was despat cned for doctor
who came quickly and was told the circum-
stances He took her hand and requested
her to close her eyes if she desired stmu-
lant.. With apparently much effort she
partially closed them. At she was able to
close and open her eyes when asked to do so.
At l she was able to converse with her
husband.
| The doctor did not regard this as an encour-
aging sign of recovery, but on the contrary
only slight revival to consciousness pre-
ceding death. She continued to improve
until p Nj. Tuesday, and then gradually
sank away, calling for and saying that she
was diving, and was regarded by those who
stood about the bed. The treatment was re-
sorted to as before with good results ana she
has been gradually improving ever since
She is very much emaciated and weak. 1t is
now more than three weeks since she was
stricken down. She has taken very little if
any nourishment for l3 days and was in an
unconscious state from Saturday at p. NJ
until Tuesday at 3 p M. Rev. Mr.. Shinn
has conversed with her and is very much in
terested in the case. What she experienced
while IN an uncons cious state she has made
known to some of her friends.